Nothing But Browns Bears

[YtownBacker]

Little played most of the first half and actually a pass or actually was stripped from behind. He was thrown to two or three times. Robo and Little played almost all the first half but it was hard to see them because the team went three and out until the end of the second quarter. Moore played a lot also. I did see Norwood's #10 out there (almost positive) but they weren't in the three WR set much and when he was on the field Wallace was busy running for his life.

I don't think Norwood has done enough since preseason game one to feel overly comfortable about his spot. He did well against backups but when put in against the big boys he disappeared. I think the team stays put at WR but.................................

We have a lot of bubble guys and I'm sure the team will be looking at a lot of positions when the cuts are made. Heckert say he will be looking more at what players come available rather then what positions. For those who missed the game last night, our LBs sucked big time. They were completely lost out there. Our safety position is real weak behind the starters and Dockery flunked with his expanded playing time and he wasn't even playing against starters. The offensive line was simply horrible, no other words can describe it. As much as I don't like Wallace the poor guy was running for his life most of the night. None of the backup RBs know how to pick up a blitz. Which means to me that they will look very hard at the waiver wire and keep Smith on the practice squad.

Our backups are very weak. There is a big drop off in talent. A few injuries at some critical positions makes this team very, very beatable. Let's pray for a healthy season or we will be drafting very high again next year.

[Brown Warrior]

I don't think Norwood, Williams, or Mitchell are safe... so there's still a chance of adding an outsider. I'd want speed.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

I don't think Norwood, Williams, or Mitchell are safe... so there's still a chance of adding an outsider. I'd want speed.

I have to agree on that. I don't think either is 100% safe and Heckert could very well be looking for someone who can stretch the field. Mitchell is a gigantic question mark. Hell, with 4 TEs and maybe having to keep a extra RB they may just keep 5 WRs because they have Moore who is basically a hybrid and can play the slot along with Cribbs and Little.

Beside WR.............................................

Heckert has to be looking for upgrades a quite a few positions. Brian Smith, English and Paxson could be the bubble boys of the front seven. Dockery could still be a bubble boy of the DBs. Armond Smith could be a bubble boy of the RBs and Vallos, Greco or Braxton could be bubble boys of the OL. With that Jackson and Haag could very well be IR guys.

I also wouldn't rule out picking up a 3rd QB and still signing Jarrett Brown to the practice squad.

There could be a lot of interesting moves coming.

[Bronx Cheer]

Don't see how either Vallos or Dockery can be on the bubble. Dockery has shown promise, and cannot be any worse then Ventrone. Why not give Dockery Ventrone's spot. Downgrading the value of kickoff coverage on Ventrone's list of assets surely brings his spot into contention, no?

If we cut Vallos, who is the backup C?

[Brown Warrior]

I agree, Y. I think there could be some movin' and shakin' today and tomorrow. We need LB depth... but our DL does look a bit deeper than I thought. Auston English seems like a keeper, like you suggested.

At my obsession point, WR: Robiskie's in unless something big and unexpected is coming. Mo, Little, and Cribbs are set. I think after that, eyes are wide open... but I'm betting Shurmur still digs Norwood. That might be the five.

[nickers]

Is it just Me or does Owen Marecic have hands of stone...hes been absolutely aweful and we decide to let Vickers walk...I didnt like it and had bad feelings from the start.

[hammertime]

Originally Posted by nickers

Is it just Me or does Owen Marecic have hands of stone...hes been absolutely aweful and we decide to let Vickers walk...I didnt like it and had bad feelings from the start.

how do you derive that from a few preseason games???

Vickers was a polished vet. And couldn't stay on the roster.

[Brown Warrior]

Marecic has sucked ass.

[Riffer X]

Marecic has been way disappointing, but we haven't seen near enough of him yet to really form an opinion. HOWEVER, we also haven't heard one peep from camp that he has looked good, either. That is pretty incriminating, especially with the fanfare he came in here with being a Stanford genius who played both ways and killed bears with a pocket knife.

On top of that, quietly as kept, Clutts has probably been better all around than him. When I watched both at camp, I couldn't get a read on Owen but he definitely wasn't nothing special. Clutts looked like a typical musclehead FB who is always off balance and never ready for the ball on short routes---but he did look decent plus he is the backup long snapper.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Bronx Cheer

Don't see how either Vallos or Dockery can be on the bubble. Dockery has shown promise, and cannot be any worse then Ventrone. Why not give Dockery Ventrone's spot. Downgrading the value of kickoff coverage on Ventrone's list of assets surely brings his spot into contention, no?

If we cut Vallos, who is the backup C?

I'm not saying cut them, I'm saying they haven't lit it on fire in preseason so if they see a waived player that they like the guys who didn't lite it on fire could be in trouble.

I say bubble because there will be 800 guys to be released before Saturday night and we have a lot of average or below backups. I think Dockery has been overhyped. He makes a lot of mistakes and is very raw. But, there just may not be anyone better out there, so bubble guy IMO. He'll probably make the team but I don't really want to see him in a game any time soon.

That said, out of all the DBs that will be released someone has to be better then Ventrone. I got nothing against Vallos but none of the backup linemen did anything against the Bears and they should all be worried.

[Alo]

Marecic's looked physically outmatched when taking on linebackers in the hole. That's scary.

[Enigmatic Evil]

I've been very underwhelmed by Marecic as well. He hasn't generated any buzz just as riffer's said and his play has left much to be desired. Raises a question, do you find your starting FB in the 4th round? Makes me think of when I used to work in this pizza place. We all hated the manager and pretty much had him exiled. While recruiting a replacement, a guy dropped off a resume. It was virtually impecable, to the point that I'm thinking. "Why does this guy want to work in a pizza place?" Yeah he had an impressive resume but he was a drug addict/alcoholic it turned out the level of work ethic he brought in is shit.

That's a bit dire a metaphor to apply to Marecic right now but that's kind of the feeling I get. The resume we read when we drafted him isn't quite leading in to the product we see before us...

This was the buzz from a James Walker AFC North Blog back in May....

• Strengths: Marecic is a tough, aggressive fullback who delivers a hard blow, but sometimes his technique slips and he does not get the movement needed to drive his man out of a play. When he does use good technique, he jolts defenders backward. Does a good job of pass blocking with good knee bend. Has good hands and can twist his body to catch off-target passes.
• Weaknesses: Lacks the quickness, explosiveness, elusiveness and speed to take plays the distance. Has the ability to lead block, but doesn't use the best technique. Is not dangerous as a ball-carrier. Despite his ability to run through contract after the catch, he is not effective at gaining yards.

I think he will grow, I HOPE he will grow into this role he was given but he's going to have to work hard to be effective at this level. I don't know if he truly 'gets' that yet? Or if the coaching staff will be scratching their head in mid season along with Tom Heckert and we'll be finding ourselves a new FB next year?

On another side note, sort of, here's a cool article I found about Marecic that was written on the 1st of this month.

He's a kid I'm rooting for but I just don't think he's at an NFL level. We gave up Vickers, we wanted a cheaper option. He's a rookie but we're getting what we're paying for so far.